Page 71 of My Italian Love Affair

“I cannot wait to see how this unfolds,” Priya beams.

“Believe me,” I sigh. “Idefinitely can.”

*

I’m halfway through re-reading the article I’ve been drafting about tomorrow’s highly anticipated game when my laptop screen fills with an incoming video call.

Straightening in my chair, I quickly tuck my hair behind my ears before clickingaccept.

“Richard! Hi.”

“Sinclair,” he greets. “I won’t keep you long - just wanted to check in. You’ve been doing fantastic work lately.”

My eyes widen and my back straightens immediately.

What in the -

Is this really happening? Is Richardseriouslycomplimenting me?

“Oh. Ah - thank you. I… really appreciate that.”

“Course. The articles you’re submitting are great - they’re getting us a lot of traction. People seem to really like the questions you’re asking in post-match interviews, too. Yourstyle is…different.But it’s been well-received.”

A small swell of pride rises in my chest. This might be one of the longest, and most pleasant, conversations I’ve had with my editor.

“That’s great to hear,” I smile.

“But,” he says, with a knowing look, “that’s not theonlyreason I’m calling.”

I hesitate, somewhat wary.

“Oh?”

Shit -has Mark said something? Commented on how unprofessional and inexperienced he thinks I am? Complained that I shouldn’t be here?

“I wanted to talk about your interview with Matteo Rossi.”

Well. Talk about anti-climatic.

“What about it?”

“Relax,Sinclair!” he laughs - as though any of this is a laughing matter. “It’s not a bad thing. It was published last night and is performing very well.” He smirks. “In fact, our commenters seem to have…noticedsomething.”

“Noticed something?”

“Yes. The tension.”

I look at him with a deadpan expression.

“You’re joking.”

“Don’t act all shy about it,” he says. “The comment section is full of it.”

He glances at another screen, reading something off.

“Listen to this: ‘Are wesurethis is an interview and not some kind of foreplay?’”

I nearly choke on my own breath.

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